Social Networks no longer walled gardens.
I opened my email the other morning to learn that the social network Linkedin has enabled more external applications for members. I’ve discussed the divergent paths for social networks in an earlier post, Whither Social Networks? Walled Garden or Public Utility Revenue Model?
Here’s Linkedin’s description of its new features:
Work Collaboratively with your network
* Box on LinkedIn: Share files and collaborate with your network.
* Huddle on LinkedIn: Private workspaces to collaborate with your network on projects.
Share information and keep up to date with your network
* Amazon on LinkedIn: Discover what your network is reading.
* TripIt on LinkedIn: See where your network is traveling.
* SixApart on LinkedIn: Stay up to date with your network’s latest blog posts.
Present yourself and your work in new ways
* Google Docs on LinkedIn: Embed a presentation on your profile.
* SlideShare on LinkedIn: Share, view and comment on presentations from your network.
* WordPress on LinkedIn: Promote your blog and latest posts.
Gain key insights that will make you more effective
* Company Buzz by LinkedIn: See what people are saying about your company.
The theory is, by giving members more connections, more activities in the social network, you involve them more deeply. Network owners do this even at the risk of loosing users by showing users more exits.
Can social networks make more money by linking to more applications within the site? Please leave me a comment in a post.
